Bournemouth coach Gary O’Neil labels Middlesbrough a ‘fantastic club’ but distances himself from speculation suggesting he could replace Chris Wilder at the Championship outfit, speaking to the Bournemouth Echo.
Four days on from Wilder’s departure, we are no closer to finding out the identity of his Riverside successor.
According to i News, Boro have interviewed Rob Edwards following his sudden departure from Watford. Former England international Michael Carrick is another candidate, as is under-pressure Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper and Coventry City’s Mark Robins.
The Bournemouth Echo, meanwhile, claim that Middlesbrough have been in touch with the Cherries as they enquire about O’Neil’s availability.
The 39-year-old caretaker is at paints to point out, however, that his full focus remains on Saturday’s Premier League clash with a Leicester City side who rediscovered their form with a 4-0 thumping of Midland rivals Forest on Monday night.
Who will replace Chris Wilder as the Middlesbrough manager?
“I don’t pay any attention to any of it,” O’Neil insists. “The week has been fully geared around Leicester. No other noise makes any difference to me.
“Middlesbrough is a fantastic club, firstly. I loved my time there,” adds a man who spent four years at the Riverside between 2007 and 2011.
“They’ve got a great owner (Steve Gibson). But, as I’ve said a million times, I’m really happy at Bournemouth. I love the place and I’m really comfortable with the situation as it is right now.”
The South Coast club are unbeaten in four since installing O’Neil as their interim coach following the sacking of Scott Parker in August. There have been two clean sheets (an ideal response to that 9-0 thumping at Liverpool) and a dramatic comeback victory at the City Ground.
Former Premier League owner and talkSPORT pundit Simon Jordan, meanwhile, believes a proven Championship operator in Robins should be Middlesbrough’s top target.
“Coventry fans will not be delighted to hear that (Middlesbrough want Robins). I think that’s a sensible appointment,” Jordan says. “It’s not an orbit-shattering appointment, but its sensible. Coventry were there and thereabouts last year, in terms of the play offs.
“They were beginning to look like they were getting themselves together again. This would be a blow to them, and the last thing Coventry need. It’s not a good news situation.”
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